Ava's 6th Birthday

Ava's 6th Birthday

From top left to right - Taylor, Ava, Luke, Colton, Rylie, Cecilia

Ava turned 6 on August 23rd.  I remember going to the hospital to welcome her to the world 6 years ago.  Brian was away and Jim & I waited until it was time and got to see Ava in the baby room moments after she was born. We joke about craffing - our made up word for laughing & crying at once. It was such a special time and we were so happy to meet this beautiful girl.

We celebrated with family, enjoying good food, fun games with the kids, and cake and ice cream.  It was good fun!

Celebration

We celebrated Devon & Tim's engagement at Frankford Hall in Fishtown this Friday.  Katie, Andy, Kelli, Eric, Me, & Brian raised a few German beers in their honor.  It was all too much fun for Brian & me as we were on a date for the first time in a long time.  We wish them all the best and know that love and happiness will surround them forever.

Please Touch Visit

Driving the train

Dig Dig

Trains with Dad

We had nothing planned this weekend, so we took advantage of no plans and the three of us hit up the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia.  It was sensory overload for Colton, but we all had a blast.  Of course Colton loved the rooms with the transportation vehicles. He hopped in every vehicle to pretend he was driving it around.  It was a great spontaneous family event.  

Joy

Nothing better than a trip to the playground just to hear the joy and laughter.  This picture captures exactly how Colton feels about the swing. 

Alana & Sydney

Throughout the vacation, Sydney & Alana put on a show at night.  It consisted of dancing and singing. They also would sit and talk.  A few times I overheard them talking about what it is supposed to be like when you get married.  It was priceless to watch and hear.  I just spoke to Alana this morning and asked her what her favorite part of vacation was, she said, "Playing with Sydney."

Cape May Zoo

The Assenmachers

Colton, Brian, & Me (and a Giraffe)

Colton with an ostrich & a giraffe (made of wood)

Sydney, Nathan, and a giraffe

We went to the Cape May Zoo on a nice day that wasn't too hot.  Colton loved all the animals and it was fun to hear him say all their names & their sounds.  

The Kids

Sydney

Gavin

Colton

Nathan

Val

Alana

Norah

Stone Harbor Summer 2012

Ice cream at Springers

Me and Norah

Syndey, Colton, Nathan

David, Gavin, & Alana

Syndey, Alana, Colton, & Nathan

Greg & Brian

David being David & Gavin

Brian & Colton

Dave, Mom, & Me

Greg, Nathan, Deb, & Sydney

I was excited I was getting a family shot until I realized that baby Norah wasn't in it

Brian & Colt

Gavin & Dave

Colton & Grandpa "Pa Pa"

Mom, Dad, S'more, & Val-e-val

Italian ice face Colton

Colton finally getting the courage to play by the water with Alana & Sydney

Colton removing every shell that Alana puts on the castle

Firehouse visit

Colton finally getting in the pool on the last day

We had such a wonderful vacation in Stone Harbor with the Assenmachers, my parents, David & his family, and Ellen's parent's & brother. It was filled with trips to the beach, sandcastles, bike rides, good food, mini-golfing, ice cream, the zoo, swimming in the pool, relaxing, and good times with friends and family. We go back in September for another fun week.

Starting a New Tradition

I find myself always writing about my childhood memories.  Especially now that I have a child of my own and wanting to create the same special memories I hold dear to my heart for Colton.  One of those special memories is Stone Harbor in the summertime.  We have been going to Stone Harbor in late September for the past 6 years. While my brother and his family come down during that time, it is only for a couple of days.  And because there are dog allergies in the family, they don't get to stay with us.  So our time with them is minimal.  So that has been unacceptable for me for two reasons 1) I love my brother and his family so much and don't get to see them often and 2) my time with my long-distance cousins as a child was so special and I want to ensure Colton has that with his. So hopefully my brother and I are starting a new tradition.  To many more fun-filled Summer vacations ahead of us...